Trashy Goodness

Man it was cold today. I guess it wasn't if you were dressed for it, but who was prepared? Certainly not me. We are trying not to turn on the heat until November 1st. Jess has decided that he is going to make a pie every night so the oven can warm up our house. I may crawl into our kettle and turn on the burner. I don't heat up well. Cold hands, warm heart as my ex boyfriend use to say.

This is also the time for comfort food. I've got two favorites. One is melted cheese on toast and the other is chicken and rice cooked with mushroom soup. Didn't every seventies mom make that one? It rocks and I don't know how to make it. I'm sure it's not hard. I could look up the recipe but I don't want to. I want my mom to make that one for me and if she's not available I want someone else to make it. It's the kind of dish that tastes better when it's served to you. It is not a high class fare but I've never claimed to be high class.

Here's another classic, tuna noodle casserole with a potato chip crust. Last week was the first time I had heard of potato chip crusts. Obviously I haven't been hanging out at the trailer park enough. My kids hated it but Jess ate the whole thing.

Tuna Noodle Casserole with Leeks and Fresh Dill
From Bon Appetit

1/4 cup unsalted butter
2 1/2 cups of thinly sliced leeks
1/4 tsp celery seeds
coarse kosher salt to taste
1/4 cup all purpose flour
2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup half and half (I skipped this and it was still creamy)
1 tsp fresh lemon juice
8 ounces wide egg noodles
1/2 cup grated Gruyere cheese
2 tbsp chopped fresh dill
2 5 to 6 ounce cans albacore tuna, drained and broken into chunks
2 cups coarsely crushed salted potato chips

Butter 8 x 8x 2 glass baking dish. Melt butter in pan over medium heat. Add leeks and celery seeds, and sprinkle lightly with salt. Cover for about 8 minutes until leeks are cooked but not brown. Add flour, stir one minute and gradually add milk and half and half. Simmer until mixture thickens, stirring often, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and remove from heat.
Cook noodles, drain and transfer to a large bowl. Pour leeks sauce over noodles and add cheese, and dill. Mix well and then fold in tuna. Transfer to baking dish and cover with foil. Bake at 375F for 25 minutes. Remove foil, sprinkle with crushed chips and bake uncovered for another 10 minutes.